Attorneys for Alex Murdaugh, a convicted killer and disbarred lawyer, have appealed for a new trial after a judge denied their initial request. Former South Carolina Supreme Court Justice Jean Toal rejected Murdaugh’s motion for a retrial based on allegations of jury tampering against Colleton County Court Clerk Becky Hill. Despite the defense lawyers’ arguments that a new trial was warranted due to Hill allegedly poisoning the jury pool against their client, Justice Toal decided that a new trial was not necessary. While she acknowledged Hill’s “fleeting and foolish comments,” Toal stated that the jurors took their responsibilities seriously in convicting Murdaugh for the murders of his wife and son.
Of the 12 total jurors who found Murdaugh guilty, 11 stated that Hill did not influence their decisions. One juror mentioned hearing the clerk make comments about watching Murdaugh’s body language but maintained that her words did not impact his verdict. However, Hill resigned following the allegations, and she is currently under investigation by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Murdaugh’s legal representatives did not respond to requests for comment. Murdaugh’s lawyers have also expressed a desire to make public statements regarding stolen money, but the FBI has accused Murdaugh of lying.
Alex Murdaugh was convicted last year of murdering his wife and son as a distraction from his growing financial crimes. He is currently serving two consecutive life sentences for the murders and was also sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal financial crimes charges. U.S. District Judge Richard M. Gergel imposed a sentence of 480 months and mandatory restitution exceeding $9 million, although he waived the fee due to Murdaugh’s inability to pay and required an immediate $2,000 special assessment. Murdaugh expressed remorse and sorrow at his sentencing hearing, but his lawyer, Jim Griffin, noted that federal inmates typically serve around 60% of their sentences, which could result in Murdaugh serving around 24 years of his 40-year sentence.
Despite the denial of a retrial, Murdaugh’s attorneys have continued to pursue avenues for appealing his convictions. The case has garnered significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the defendant and the gruesome nature of the crimes for which he was convicted. As further investigations unfold into allegations of jury tampering and financial crimes, the legal and ethical implications surrounding Alex Murdaugh’s convictions remain at the forefront of public discourse. Time will tell how this complex and convoluted legal saga will ultimately unfold and what further consequences await Alex Murdaugh as he serves his lengthy prison sentences.
